Dye tub



Oct. 18, 1938.

T. D. MCCLELLAN 2,133,823

DYE TUB Filed Aug. 14, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 18, 1938.

T. D. M CLELLAN DYE TUB Filed Aug. 14, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M Wanda.

BY v ATTORNEY.

Oct. 18, 1938. T. D. M CLELLAN 2,133,323

DYE TUB Filed Aug. 14, 1936 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Cd. 18, 1938. T D MCCLELLAN 2,133,823

DYE TUB Filed Aug. 14, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 18,1938. 1 T. D. MCCLELLAN DYE TUB Filed Aug. 14, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY M 2? WMTTQRQEY.

Patented Oct. is, 1938 2,133,823

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DYE TUB I Thomas D. McClellan, Pascale, N. J. Application August 14, 1936, Serial No. 95,984

' 2 Claims. (01. ell-15) This invention relates to dye tubs for use in volume of the dye liquid before the same comes textile dyeing plants. in contact with the material.

The objects of the invention are:-to provide In order to prevent a loss of heat and escape an improved container for the dye bath; to proof vapor, a hood is provided over the entire tub,

5 vide an improved means for supplying water to having windows through which the progress of s the bath; to provide means for controlling the the dyeing operation can be observed. These temperature throughout the bath; to provide windows are mounted in doors having means for means for controlling the addition of dyestufl elevatinB e Same t0 e-fl 'd eee t0 the u and chemicals and for distributing the same when desired.

throughout the bath; to provide for circulation of A further feature consists in the provision of 10 the bath so as to obtain a uniformly dyed prodhydraulic'means to elevate the doors and means uct and to prevent damage to the material in to effect a tight seal with the doorswhen the the dyeing operation; to prevent loss of heat e e l whereby the fume! n mm and loss of vapor from the bath; to provide a ar pr v n d fr m ew -pi s in the etmelphere l5 tub which can efhciently accommodate batches of the dye house. 16 of different sizes; to prevent loss due to tangling A further feature 6011818 in Pr vis on 1' of the material or unevenly yed portions; to a conveyor carrying samples of the material reduce the quantity of dye bath required for a which may be removed for insp ction, thereby given batch of material; and, in general, to imavoiding th heeeeflty cum!!! Demons m 20 prove the efllciency of operation of the dye tub. e main mfltel'lel 0 p9 the mevement 0f 20 One feature of the invention consists in the th m rial f r h l purp provision of a tub which is so shaped as to re- A further feature 0011818 in the Provision of duce the quantity of liquid required for dyeing adjustable means for guiding materials of difthe material. For this purpose, the bottom of t welfihts M0 t e reelthe tub is caused to conform, in general, to the e other features and advantages will h 2 space occupied by the material in its passage p r nt a h nature of th inventioh is more through the dye bath. In one embodiment, the fully diielOBedv invention itself, er. tub is provided with a bottom which forms a may be better understood y, referrins t e chamber adapted to receive the material as it is fellowini description. taken in co nection with l laid therein in folds or pleats and which slopes the eecempenyihB drawings. in W c One em- 30 upwardly along the general path taken by the bodiment thereof h been set fo t fo purposes material as it is withdrawn from the tub so that of illustrationthe normally unused portions of the bath, with In the drawings. a which the material'does not come in contact, are Figure 1 is 8 Side elevation f a ye tub coneliminated. structed in accordance with this invention; n 35 A further feature consists in the provision of Figure 2 15 an end elevation thereof w means for continuously removing portions of the the door in at p ition; dye bath and re-circulating the same. preferably Figure 3 13 a section taken on 1ihe line of in the general direction of travel of the material. Figure showing the seal for the door; 40 Heating means is provided for the re-circulated Figure 4 1s a horizontal section taken along the 40 liquid whereby the liquid is heated after being Figure 1; removed from the bath and before being rein- Figure 5 is a vertical section taken along the troduced therein. In this manner, the temperaline of Figure 4; ture of the liquid in the various parts of the bath Figure 6 swim taken the 5 is maintained substantially constant. P H of Figure and I In one embodiment the heat is Supplied by Figure 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 1-'I of Figure 6. steam coils over which the re-circulated liquid passes and which pp heat to the m d wmh Although certain specific terms are used herein for i out introducing steam directly into the bath or conven ence in referrmg to various details of the invention, it is to be understood that th 50 otherwise contaminating the same. Means 1S terms are to be given as brgad an jnterpretatl gl also provided for introducing water, dyestuff and as th t t of t n; 111 permit, chemicals to the re-circulated liquid before it is Referring t t drawings more in detail and reintroduced into the dye bath and at a rate such more particularly to Figure 5, the invention is that the added material is dispersed in a large shown as comprising, in general, a tub [0 having 55 a bottom ll forming a chamber i2 having a curved section as shown in Figure 5 and adapted to receive the material I! which is laid therein in folds or pleats I, as by an oval reel i5, and having an upwardly sloping section it, conforming generally to the path taken by the material as it is withdrawn from the chamber i2 by a second reel ll. The sloping section l6 terminates at a heating chamber I 8, containing a steam coil. I 9, into which the bath discharges in its passage through the tub. The bath, after being heated by the coil i9, passes through a pipe 20 and is thence re-circulated, in the manner to be later described, through a flow box 2| which is disposed above the bath at a point beneath the reel ll, so that the liquid is caused. to flow in the direction of travel of the material from the flow box 2|, through the bath, to the heating chamber it. A hood 22 encloses the entire bath and the reels so as to conserve heat and to prevent escape of liquid or vapors. This hood is provided with windows 23 for the purpose set forth.

The details of construction will be better understood by referring to Figures 1 and 2. In these figures, the tub Iii and'hood 22 are shown as supported by a framework comprising a plurality of uprights 25 by which the assembly is supported and joined by horizontal members' 26, which support. the tub i0, and by horizontal members 2'! and 28 which strengthen the assembly and provide supports forthe hood 22. The tub III is provided with a bottom above described, and with side members 30 which are supported by the horizontal members 26. The pipe 2| leading from the heating chamber l8 communicates with a pump section 32 (Figure 1) having an impeller (not shown) therein, driven by a motor 32 which may be mounted above the level of the bath on the outside of the tub (Figures 1', 3 and 4) andis connected to the impeller by a coupling mechanism 34. The impeller is adapted to lift the liquid from the pipe 20 through a riser 35 and to discharge the same through a pipe 36 (Figure 4) into the flow box 2| (Figures 5, 6 and 7). .The impeller is preferably designed to lift the liquid without agitation and without introducing air therein so as to prevent deterioration of the bath. A standard type of impeller, capableof lifting the liquid without applying centrifugal force may be used.

The flow box 2| (Figure 5) is in the'form of an open-top box extending across the bath and is provided with a front plate 40, the bottom of which is shaped to form a slot Ii, extending across the tub, through which the liquid discharges to a lip 42 formed on the flow box 2| and terminating at the level of the bath. The lip 42 is rounded upwardly to prevent injury to any material that may come in contact therewith. The slot ll is shaped in accordance with the pressure distribution across the flow box 2i so that a uniform distribution of liquid across the bath is obtained- It will be noted that the head of liquid in the flow box, caused by discharge from the pipe 36, is greatest at a point some distance from the end of the discharge pipe and decreases in both directions from that point.' The slot 4| accordingly is made narrowest at the point of greatest head or pressure and increases in width in inverse ratio to the change in pressure, being widest at the two ends of the flow box where the pressure is lowest. The shape of the slot I may be computed mathematically or may be determined by measuring the head of liquid at the various points in the flow box and should be such as to provide a uniform discharge across the entire bath.

Water is supplied when required to the bath by a suitable pipe 43 (Figures 5 and 6) which may terminate above the heating chamber l8. Water may also be introduced into the bottom of the tub by pipes 44 which also serve as a drain when the tub is to be emptied. The pipes 44 are provided with valves 45 and communicate with a water supply pipe 6 controlled by a valve 41 and with a drain pipe 48 having a valve 49. By suitable actuation of the various valves, wash water can be admitted to the tub through the pipes 44 or the contents of the tub can be drained through the drain pipe 48.

The dyestuil's and chemicals are supplied from a receiver 50, located at the side of the tub, and having a screen Ii. A plurality of pipes 52 and I! (Figure 1) of diil'erent capacities and having valves 54 and 55, respectively, are connected to feed the solution from the receiver to the recirculation pipe 20. The valve 54 may be used for controlling the admission of dye liquid from this receiver, and the valve Si may be used to introduce other chemicals which may be supplied to the pipe 20 at a more rapid rate. Other pipes of different sizes may be used or other means, such as differently sised orifices, may be used'to control the flow of liquid as desired, so that the rate of addition becomes a constant and is not dependent upon a variable valve adjustment. Obviously, water may also be introduced from the receiver 80, if desired.

The pipes l2 and It may be connected to a discharge line It, having a draw-oil. valve II which provides means to draw water from the bath to be used for. mixing chemicals and dyes so that the total quantity of bath may be kept constant. A discharge pipe II, having a control valve ll, may be connected to the riser 3! to introduce re-circulated liquid-into the receiver 50 for use in flushing out the receiver, for assisting in distributing the added dyestufl. throughout the bath, or to provide liquid for mixing the dyestufl' or chemicals. This pipe 58 terminates short of the screen 5| so as to permit removal of said screen.

A discharge pipe I, having a control valve 6|, may be connected to the pipe 28 to provide means for carrying away the wash water when washing upwardly from the pipes 44. Scum may be removed from the heating chamber I! by an overflow launder 62 (Figure 5) connected by a pipe 08 to the discharge pipe I.

The reels ii and I1 are supported by suitable bearings (not shown) from the horizontal members 21 of the framework. The reel I5 is preferably oval so as to lay the material in the tub in folds or pleats in the usual manner. The reel I1 is preferably circular for withdrawing the material from the tub at uniform rate. The speed of operation of the reels may be varied as required. The peripheryv of the reels may be provided with spaced rods 64 of molded phenol condensation product, such as Micarta, and a covering 65 of similar material in the form of a flat sheet may beapplied over the rods 04 or attached directly to the reel supports. I have found that this material has the property of gripping the material for pulling the same without injury. The material mayadhere somewhat to the Hicarta surface, in which case the folds are laid somewhat longer than the normal throw of the reel.

Suitable guide plates I6 and '1 are slidably mounted on channels 68 carried by the frame for guiding the material from the bath onto the reels. The plate 66 is positioned to guide material onto the reel I! when this reel is being used to withdraw material from the bath. This plate has three sets of holes 69 which are of different sizes and are differently spaced for guiding materials of different weights. The proper set of holes may be brought into position for guiding the material by sliding the plate 86 in the channel 68.

The plates 61 are provided for guiding the material onto the reel l5 when the material is withdrawn from the bath directly onto this reel. These plates are also slidable and areprovided with rows of holes 18 which are similar to the holes 89 in the plate 66. Two separate plates 81 are used because the space is not suflicient to permit sliding adjustment of one large plate.

The hood 22 comprises sides II, ends 12 and a top 13, all of which are suitably supported by the framework. The windows 23 are mounted in doors 14 which slide in channels 15 located at the ends 12 of the tub andare operated by suitable hydraulic lifts, such as cylinders 18, mounted above the doors [4, and having pistons (not shown) connected to rods H which are attached at the lower part of the doors I4. Fluid issupplied to the cylinders 16 by a pipe 18 controlled by a two-way valve 19 connecting the pipe 18 to a supply pipe 80 or a discharge pipe 8|,

The doors are sealed hydraulically by a hose 82 held in a channel 83 which surrounds the door opening and bears against the door around its entire periphery when distended by fluid pressure, making possible the treatment of material 7 at temperatures above the boiling point and the retentionof valuable vapors in certain processes. The hose 82 is connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure (not shown), such as a water main or a compressed air line. When the seal is to be effected, the fluid is supplied to the hose 82 until it is expanded or distended to make a tight contact around the entire door. When the pressure within the hose 82 is released, the door can be moved freely. Obviously, other types of seal may be used, particularly if a tight seal is not essential.

A take-off reel 84 of any desired type, such as a vacuum reel, may be positioned at one end of the tub and supported by an arm 85 attached to one of the uprights 25. This reel may be used for removing the batch of material from the tub and at the same time extracting excess water therefrom. One or more longitudinal partitions (not shown) may be provided in the tub so as to divide the same into two or more compartments, which may be used separately or together de-' pending upon the size of the batch being treated. Side bars 86 (Figure 6) are provided to keep the material out of contact with the sides of the tub.

A conveyor belt or chain 81, carrying samples of the material, is mounted above the heating chamber I8 and is driven by a belt 88 from the reel II. This belt 81 dips in the bath and receives treatment similar to that .of the material on the reels [5 and H. The door 14 is provided with a port 89 through which the belt 81 may be viewed and which may be opened to permit removal of samples for observation or test.

In the operation of this device, the dye solution is prepared at the proper concentration and temperature according to the requirements and is circulated through the bath while the material is being passed therethrough from the reel l5 to the reel I'l in'the manner above described; As the dyeing operation proceeds, the temperature may be carefully regulated by suitable adjust ment of the rate of flow of the liquid through'the re-circulation pipe 28 and of the heat supply to the steam coil IS. The temperature and rate of circulation can be independently controlled by varying the above-mentioned adjustments. At the same time, the dye can be built up as required by mixing the dye solution in the receiver 58 and introducing the same into the pipe 20 by suitable actuation of the valves 54 and 55. In this way, the dye is thoroughly dispersed in a large volume of solution before it is introduced into the tub, so that the dye cannot contact the material in a concentrated form. The rate of addition of the dye can be adjusted with respect to the rate of circulation of the liquid and the number of revolutions of the reel so that a suitable distribution is obtained. Furthermore, the flow box 2| holds a substantial quantity of liquid and provides a further opportunity for the dye to be thoroughly dispersed in the liquid before it is suppTied to the bath.

The flow of liquid through the tub assists in the removal of impurities, such as lint, lime soaps, etc. into the heating chamber, where they are removed by the launder.

Since the tub is shaped to conform to the path of the material, the amount of excess dye bath is reduced to a minimum. The cost for dyestuffs and chemicals and the cost of heating the same are correspondingly reduced. Furthermore, the maintenance of a uniform temperature throughout the bath eliminates local variations in temperature which occur when the bath is heated without forced circulation. This permits an accurate control of the dyeing conditions and reduces the possibility of injuring the material or dyestuffs by improper temperatures.

By suitable adjustment of the operating characteristics, the dye may be added at a rate determined by the speed of travel of the material through the tub. In this way, an accurate control of the color and condition of the material may be obtained.

The washing of the material is facilitated because the water may be introduced by the pipes 44 and caused to flow with the'material, thence into the heating chamber l8, whence it is removed through the pipe 60 or it may be introduced into the tub by the pipe 43 and caused to flow in a reverse direction and out through the pipes 44 and 48 for flushing out the .tub and washing the material. By providing the various controls, including the receiver 50, on the outside of the machine, the dyestufl's or chemicals may be mixed and introduced when the tub is operating without opening the hood or otherwise interfering with the continuous operation of the dyeing process.

During the run, samples may be taken from the belt 8'! without stopping the machine. When it is desired to raise the doors 14, the hose 82 is first collapsed by releasing the fluid therein and the valve 19 is actuated to supply fluid pressure to the-cylinders 16. The bath is then accessible for adjustment or for inserting or removing the material. When the doors are closed and sealed, escape of vapor or fumes is prevented and the atmosphere of the dye house is kept free from mist.

I have found that some dyeing operations are a-function of the speed of the material. By closing the doors I4, I am able to run the material 4 at a high speed, it necessary, without throwing liquid from the tub. This is of particular importance with some kinds of materialr By washing the material in the normal direction of flow, the impurities are removed to the launder and are prevented from contaminating the material and necessitating subsequent cleaning. The scum is removed continuously by the launder 62 and pipe 83. A screen may be mounted above the heating coil IO, ii desired, to prevent impurities from being re-circulated.

It is to be understood that the heating chamber may be at a higher level than the flow box to obtain gravity flow oi liquid, in which case a pump may be used to raise the liquid from the bath to the heating chamber. In some instances,

the direction of flow of dye liquid may be reversed in the bath.

It is to be understood that various combinations of adjustments may be made according to the I claim:

1. In a tub containing a dye bath, means to introduce material in a folded or pleated pile, means to withdraw the material from the bottom of said pile in an upwardly inclined path, said tub having a bottom forming a chamber to receive the pile of material and extending therefrom in an upwardly inclined direction conforming generally to the path of withdrawal 0! the material, means to withdraw portions of the bath from said tub, means to heat the portion thus withdrawn, a flow box, and means to introduce. the withdrawn portion oi. the bath'into said flow box, said flow box having a slot through which the dye liquid flows into said tub, said slot varying in size across the tub in accordance with the pressure distribution in said flow box so as maintain a uniiorm rate of discharge across the entire tub.

2. In a dye tub, means to continuously introduce a dye liquid comprising a flow box extending across the tub, a pipe to introduce the dye liquid into said flow box and a slot in said flow box through which the dye liquid flows into said tub, said slot varying in size across the tub in accordance with the pressure distribution in said ilow box so as to maintain a uniform rate of discharge across the entire tub.

THOMAS D. MOCLELLAN. 

